UK labour market holds steady at historic high

Britain Estimates show that 32.7 million people were in employment during Q1

The UK's historic levels of employment continued to hold steady in the first quarter, with a record number of people in work.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the overall employment rate in January to March 2019 for people aged between 16 and 74 was 76.1%. That was higher than a year earlier hen it was 75.6% and the joint highest figure on record.

Estimates show that 32.7 million people were in employment during the first quarter of 2019, 354,000 more than a year earlier.

The unemployment rate fell to 3.8% from 3.9%, the lowest since the end of 1974.

The ONS also found wages were continuing to grow, albeit at a marginally slower pace.

Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings were estimated to have increased 3.3%, or by 1.3% after adjusting for inflation, compared to a year earlier. That was a marginal fall on the previous month's reading of 3.4%. Including bonuses, wages grew by 3.2%, down from 3.5%. ■